DON'T WORRY, BE NAUTI

All-gal team says ‘Nothing to worry about!’
in 800nm race to Cabo

OCEANSIDE, CA – The J/35 Predator, hailing from Oceanside and Dana Point Yacht Clubs, was erroneously reported as DNF in the Balboa Yacht Club Corona Del Mar to Cabo San Lucas Yacht Race.

BYC Cabo Race PRO Doug Campbell explained that Predator was inadvertently lumped in with three retired boats, instead of designated as "still racing" at press time. "Certainly Predator finished the race and I apologize to all the many Predator supporters and fans," said Campbell. "They are a helluva group!"

At one point during the race, Predator’s skipper/navigator Sue Senescu, a four-time Transpac veteran, wrote from the race course, “The weather and sea conditions were more than anticipated but our crew handled them perfectly. The most detrimental thing to our performance has been the complete shredding of our heaviest kite.” The team, known as the Nauti Chicas, had been clocking 10+ knots of boat speed in 25-30 knot winds and big seas until they blew up their heavy spinnaker in the early hours of March 30. Subsequently they tallied an average Speed Over Course of 6.11 knots for the race (reflecting the lack of a suitable spinnaker) while their D-class rivals logged 7 to 8.2 knots.

Responding to reports that the J/35 was ‘struggling’ and comments that other racers were ‘worried about them’ the crew laughed it off. “Although we are the last of the boats to sail into the finish line, our spirits our high!” said Senescu. “We’re disappointed with our results, but very proud of our team and our boat, the second smallest and second highest rater I believe in the fleet.” The Cabo Race was the inaugural long-distance offshore race for four of the six crew: yacht owner Terri Manok, Helena Cannady, Denise Eldredge and Judy Rae Karlsen.

Meanwhile three other race boats – Muneca, Aeolos, and Bad Pak – were forced to retire due to gear failures in the heavy seas and windy conditions.

Predator’s six-woman team finished Wednesday evening April 2, with an elapsed time of 127:07:16 -- well within the published cut-off time of noon April 4. “We had two full days of barbecues, swimming, snorkeling and working on our fantastic tans before celebrating with our friends at the trophy presentation Friday,” said crewmember and Transpac veteran Betsy Crowfoot.

Next on the agenda for the Nauti Chicas is the Newport to Ensenada Race, and all-women one-design regattas in Puerto Vallarta and Long Beach.

OFFICIAL RESULTS